Design + Inspiration

Eyestylist Exclusive: EYECON Show debut, NYC

Space for relaxed conversation and networking as well as buying, “blending commerce with culture and creativity” – the EYECON Show attracted optical retailers with a special interest in luxury and independent eyewear as well as industry experts and insiders – the inaugural edition of EYECON Show, created by Tarrence Lackran,  took place in March 2025 at the Glasshouse, NYC 
Luxury eyewear collections and accessories by international designers and brands were showcased by the EYECON show, curated by Founder, Tarrence Lackran and described as “a reimagined eyewear experience”. The B2B eyewear show took place from 14th to 16th March 2025 during the new Eyewear Design Week (EDW) – a newly launched destination event for optical retailers and opticians offering multiple showrooms around New York City in which to discover the latest independent eyewear designers and their collections.
This event brought together brands and influential players in the luxury eyewear segment at the Glasshouse, a refined venue in Manhattan with views over the Hudson River. The inaugural edition featured a mix of exclusive brands – many of which had their founders and designers attending in person. They included LAPIMA (Brazil), Ahlem (LA), Anna Karin-Karlsson (Sweden), JACQUEMUS (France), Dita Lancier (US), Oscar Mamooi (Italy), Solamor (France), KURO Athletics (US), Selima Optique (US) Vakay (Tunisia) and CAPOTE Eyewear (Ibiza).  Above: Sunglasses by Selima Optique at EYECON Show
EYECON[VERSATION]: Tarrence Lackran with panelists Brandon Murphy (Brandon Murphy),  Julia Gogosha (Gogosha Optique, LA), Dr. Jennifer Tsai (Line of Sight), Siria Alvarez (Tatiana Restaurant by Kwame Onwuachi), and Jeff Rednour (Equinox Hotels) – the discussion was entitled ‘Designing Desire: crafting a luxury eyewear experience’
Capote Eyewear from Ibiza at EYECON
Tarrence Lackran, Founder, EYECON
“At EYECON, the synergy between the brands has been exactly what we envisioned—independent, design-driven eyewear houses connecting with retailers who truly appreciate craftsmanship and innovation. The curated nature of the show has allowed for more meaningful engagement, and that’s something we’ll continue to refine…”  Tarrence Lackran, Founder, EYECON
LAPIMA at EYECON Show, NYC
As well as friendly energy and networking, an exclusive ambiance for buyers, fine catering and opportunities to discover new handpicked collections and brands, a particular highlight at EYECON was the daily programme of panel discussions (EYECON[VERSATIONS]) which explored the evolving landscape of luxury eyewear, the particular challenges of optical retail and perspectives from the worlds of sports and fashion and other sectors such as hospitality on building luxury experiences for retail success.
Showing at EYECON from Italy: Oscar Mamooi

EYECON Show 2026 Asked about what is planned for 2026, Lackran told Eyestylist this week: “We have not settled on our dates yet, but plan on participating in next year’s Eyewear Design Week. For next time, we’re already thinking about ways to enhance the experience—possibly expanding our programming, incorporating more interactive brand moments, and even exploring additional partnerships that align with the luxury ethos of EYECON. Growth is definitely on the horizon, but our focus remains on maintaining the exclusivity and high-level curation that make this event special. I would rather have the right brands versus a lot of brands.”

To find out more about EYECON visit https://www.eyecon.show/

Images by @jeremiahhgamble for EYECON Show / This feature was written by Clodagh Norton exclusively for Eyestylist.com. 

Eyewear divas join forces for collab

The female designers behind Barton Perreira and A-Morir Studio have created sparkling, limited-edition collaboration sunglasses – together

Female creative eyewear designers Patty Perreira, founder and creative director of luxury eyewear brand Barton Perreira, and Kerin Rose Gold, founder of A-Morir have worked together for the first time to launch a limited-edition eyewear collection. The collection features four best-selling designs by Patty Perreira – the Jagger, the Devine, the Galilea, and the Binti – reimagined with distinctive decorations by Kerin Rose Gold. Each frame is described as a canvas for Kerin’s gorgeous signature embellishments, with hand-applied stones, jewels, and pearls creating a dazzling effect. Above: Patty Perreira and Kerin Rose Gold wearing their collaboration designs

Collaboration designs: Barton Perreira x Kerin Rose Gold – contemporary, feminine, jewellery frames – above, designers and friends – Kerin Rose Gold and Patty Perreira in the studio together

The Barton Perreira x Kerin Rose Gold collection is available exclusively in-store at the Barton Perreira Meatpacking location (NYC), in very limited quantities. In alignment with Women’s Month, the brand is proud to announce that a % of the proceeds from the collection will be donated to the Lower East Side Girls Club, a nonprofit organization empowering young women to lead boldly, challenge expectations, and dream bigger, making it a perfect partner for this collaboration. For more information visit https://shop.a-morir.com and https://bartonperreira.com

Photography by Youn Kim – all rights reserved.

LOFT NYC 2025: inspirational independent eyewear design

An extensive overview of the creative talent in eyewear, LOFT NYC showcased more than 150 brands and creative eyewear designers, who exhibited collections at two locations in Chelsea/Hudson Yards,  NYC – the event took place as part of the newly launched ‘New York Eyewear Design Week’ 

An expanded 25th Anniversary event, which took place at Chelsea Industrial and Chelsea Factory, attracted a significant number of brands and designers – (in total over 150 exhibitors)  and buyers and retailers visiting from across the US. The show provided an exceptional overview of new trends and innovative design by the leading independent brands and niche eyewear labels – spotlighting the extraordinary variety and continued innovation in materials, crafting techniques, and technical developments across the sector.

Following the event, Richard Mewha, Founder, said: ““The past few days have seen the 25th anniversary of Loft NYC succeed in expanding our concept of a non trade show environment allowing a larger mix of highly curated independent designers to present their amazing wares to the best optical retailers in North America. We also successfully built a collaboration through our Eyewear Design Week concept with other showrooms, notably with Thelios and Kering, to offer a wider array of venues and options over the 3-day event.” Above: LAFONT Paris and Andy Wolf showing at LOFT NYC – Chelsea Industrial

The Portuguese brand, VAVA exhibited at LOFT – Chelsea Factory

This year, the event saw a selection of special product launches and new collection presentations. They included the launch of the FACE A FACE Anniversary project 3.0  and a colour collaboration with the artist, Jessica Poundstone (www.eyestylist.com/2025/03/face-a-face-reveals-anniversary-collaboration-in-new-york/); the new Galaxy collection presentation from Nina Mûr, a delightful concept fusing art and nature using authentic stone; the release of new designs by FFIN Eyewear such as MOD, a special oversized sunglass shape by Anna Lewis; the latest Collection 2 2025 at SALT. Optics who continue to show a beautiful attention to fine details and colour combinations; and a captivating collection of sunglasses and optical frames called The PUNKS Collection from a new favourite luxury label, Press Eyewear.

We observed a rich variety of eyewear trends, directions and multi-layered colour stories and micro colour trends. Independent eyewear brands continue to highlight the craftsmanship, workmanship, and design qualities of their collections, as well as the intricate creative paths and inspiration behind their work and choices in materials, design inspiration and colour palettes. Eyestylist looks forward to sharing more about these developments in eyewear design in the coming weeks and months.

The LOFT Eyewear Shows have been the premier independent luxury eyewear events since 2000 in New York and San Francisco. Next year, the LOFT organisers have confirmed dates for the NYC event from 5th to 7th March 2026. Find out more at www.lofteyewearshow.com

FACE A FACE reveals anniversary collaboration in New York

The French eyewear label has launched a new collaboration with the artist/designer Jessica Poundstone – in celebration of the brand’s 30th anniversary

To mark the 30th anniversary of the brand, FACE A FACE has unveiled a new sunglasses style called FACES, informed by the colourful work of Jessica Poundstone, and presented with special edition art works by the artist (in the form of counter cards and posters). Inspired by by colour sensation, minimalism and light and space, Poundstone creates vibrant abstract art works with bold colour combinations and geometric structured forms, a style that is perfectly in harmony with the artistic vision of the designers at FACE A FACE. Above: the new Faces frame fuses the artistic vision of Poundstone and the signature geometric styling of FACE A FACE sunglasses – the special edition frame was shown for the first time at the LOFT Eyewear Show

FACE A FACE party ‘ LOFT NYC 2025 – from left to right: Claire Ferreira (FACE A FACE), Jessica Poundstone and Marianne Dezes (FACE A FACE – photo: Mahka Eslami

FACE A FACE have announced this new artistic project – entitled FACE A FACE 3.0 – during a launch party to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary, held at the LOFT at Chelsea Industrial, NYC. The intimate event was attended by the FACE A FACE team, the designers Claire Ferreira and Marianne Dezes, US customers and special guest, Jessica Poundstone who spoke about her vibrant colour explorations and invited guests to have ‘a play with colour’ and a relaxing moment of drawing for themselves.

The new frame from FACE A FACE (pictured top) is now available to order and comes in a striking colour combination of translucent shopcking pink and bright blue.

About Jessica Poundstone – Jessica is involved in many creative projects that we recommend to our readers: most recently, she has published a book called “Museum of Dogs, a romp through art history for dog people”…releasing in June in Europe. She is also a selected artist in Louis Vuitton stores around the world. For more information about the Anniversary, visit www.faceaface-paris.com – to find out more about Jessica’s work, visit www.jessicapoundstone.com

100% Optical, London: 2025 edition

A strong emphasis on ‘focusing on the future’, a wide-reaching line up of exhibitors, and what was described as “a jam-packed educational programme with more than 100 hours of free CPD content” contributed to a successful show overall for 2025 

100% Optical has also grown its representation of independent eyewear brands, with 2025 featuring a wider selection of creative established and emerging labels including Danielle Rattray, VAVA, Erker’s, MYKITA, Dita, RES/REI, ROLF, FACE A FACE, Portrait, Clayton Franklin, Kirk and Kirk and GAZUSA, among others. Those seeking sustainable eyewear were also well served with a choice of brands which included Sea2see, Bird and Waterfall.

Brands exhibiting for the first time at the event included OTIS Eyewear from Australia, an established eyewear brand with a leaning towards a fusion of quality features, sustainable materials with excellent lens technology: collections by DITA, Chains for Frames and Flippan Look also made their first appearance at the show. Above: VAVA Eyewear returned to 100% Optical – originating from Portugal, VAVA is one of the hottest and most highly regarded avantgarde independent eyewear collections – image courtesy of 100% Optical

OTIS Eyewear: the collection was shown for the first time at 100% by The Eyewear Collective

In the LOVE  Eyewear Awards by 100% Optical, independent brands were also well represented with prizes going to Tanaka eyewear (new designer 2025), VASUMA (unisex frame of the year), Clayton Franklin (luxury eyewear of the year), Spada Laura/ GAZUSA (Women’s frame of the year) and Götti Dimension Next (kid’s frame of the year), among others. The Optical Gallery won recognition for the Best Use of Social Media.

Bay Window by Erker’s – model Farmington – Erker’s returns annually to 100% Optical
Woow Eyewear: the brand was exhibited on the Design Eyewear Group stand at 100% Optical, with FACE A FACE, Prodesign and William Morris London

“We’d like to extend a special thank you to our valued exhibitors, sponsors, and all of the visitors who made 100% Optical the must-attend event for the industry again,” said Celsa Vazquez, Commercial Director, CloserStill Media. “This exhibition is a true celebration of innovation, expertise, and collaboration and this year was no different. We showcased a new layout and reimagined floor plan, encouraged the industry to clock hours in CPD and witnessed so many exciting launches….”

Model Joel in the Kaleidoscope Collection by Kirk and Kirk: a new entry for Spring

Kirk & Kirk introduced the models Joel (above) and Ruth, among others, at the London fair. From the Kaleidoscope Collection, model Joel offers a strong silhouette that plays to the chunky yet lightweight material; model Ruth, a gently curved, sensuous form  brings a new feminine dimension to the collection overall. Crafted from their own K-Lite™ material, a sheet material specially produced for Kirk & Kirk in Italy, these frames are light and comfortable to wear, and come in unique colours, allowing the collection to stand out in a crowd.

Next year, the London show 100% Optical will take place from 28th February to 2nd March 2026 at Excel London. For more information visit www.100percentoptical.com